Hunter hurting
The Pistons are keeping a close watch on Lindsey Hunter 's right foot and ankle.

Hunter, who turned 36 on Sunday, is experiencing stiffness in his right Achilles tendon.

"We've been limiting his minutes here recently," coach Flip Saunders said. "He wants to keep playing, but it has been real stiff. We've played a lot of back-to-backs, and that's made it tough. We just have to ease his minutes."

Hunter was ineffective in nine minutes Sunday, missing all three of his shots.

If the tendon tears, it could spell the end of Hunter's career. The Pistons' medical staff doesn't think there is any risk of that, or they would shut him down.

In the meantime, Saunders said Flip Murray might go back to playing more point guard. He had been used mostly at shooting guard the past two weeks.

When you are 36 years old and your Achilles tendon starts barking, you listen and you react. Lindsey Hunter is going to shut it down for at least a couple of weeks (probably longer) to see if he can quiet his aching right Achilles. He injured it in practice the Monday before the Miami game. He first rolled his right ankle, then the pain moved into the Achilles area. The ankle healed somewhat, the Achilles hasn't. Nobody knows how long he will be out -- but you can bet the Pistons will proceed with caution. If the Achilles tendon rips, Hunter's playing career will be over.

Don't underestimate the significance of this loss. Hunter's on-ball defense, his quickness in the zone and on traps, plus his ability to push the ball and get the Pistons into their offensive sets quickly are key components. Flip Murray will be Chauncey Billups' primary back-up. He struggled in that role earlier this season. Rookie Will Blalock will be activated as the No. 3 point guard. With Hunter hurting, his minutes had been short of late, which means Billups' work load has been heavy. Flip Saunders is in a tough spot here, especially if Murray falters. He may have to throw young Blalock to the wolves a little bit -- if, for no other reason, than to give Joe Dumars a better idea of whether or not the Pistons are eventually going to have to bring in another point guard.

Which brings up another topic -- Mike James ain't coming back, folks. Is he happy in Minnesota? No, not right now. He's struggling, he's not playing down the stretch, there are too many guys who do the same thing he does (Ricky Davis, Troy Hudson, Randy Foye, etc). All of that is true. But even if Minnesota tries to move him, the Pistons (unless, knock on wood, Billups gets hurt) aren't interested. Why? Because James just signed a four-year, $24.6 million contract. You don't pay $6 million a year for a back-up point guard. Especially not when you know you are going to have to cough up something real close to a max deal to keep your starting point guard next summer. If the Pistons feel like they have to go out and get another experienced point, if they are certain that Hunter won't be back for a long time, then they might make a play for somebody like Charlotte's Brevin Knight, who is in the final year of his contract. I am not saying they are targeting Knight, I am just saying that's the kind of guy who would fit the bill -- veteran, last year of his contract, wouldn't cost the Pistons any of their core players.

Time to let Delfino play the point. Blaylock will make mistakes. Not that I have a problem with that, he's a rook, let him learn. The East is a wreck, I've never seen a season where our record will be so irrelevant. We just don't need the wins.

However, Flip is intolerant of rookie mistakes, so expect to see Flip "1.5 assists per game" Murray playing the point. Sad thing is Murray has been growing on me but he's going to be exposed at the point; he can't run an offense, and his D sucks, but he's the closest Detroit's had to a Microwave in a long time.

This may sound wierd to some, but I was hoping someone would get slightly injured early in the season to allow our youngens to get some burn.

What a great time to get Blalock some PT. You never know he could be needed come April, May, or June!!!!!!!

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I was also hoping this too. I really want to see Maxiell play. When that guy plays he is my favorite Piston. The guy has alot of heart. I really think he could be a consistent scorer off the bench, but it looks like he's going to sit on the bench all year unless someone gets injured :(

What a great time to get Blalock some PT. You never know he could be needed come April, May, or June!!!!!!!

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He may be activated but do you think Dolphin, err...Flip will play him??? Both Delfino and JMax has been 'activated' all season long and yet they still get no burns in some games. Reality check....Flip will still play Flip Junior at PG no matter how bad he plays and CB will average 40-42 mins til Hunter returns.

He may be activated but do you think Dolphin, err...Flip will play him??? Both Delfino and JMax has been 'activated' all season long and yet they still get no burns in some games. Reality check....Flip will still play Flip Junior at PG no matter how bad he plays and CB will average 40-42 mins til Hunter returns.

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I'm for letting Delfino run the point. Whatever keeps him on the floor. I'd rather one of our bench players contribute in multiple areas rather than dispersing randomn minutes to a variety of players on this team. It would be good to get some strong young player development out of somebody!

I'm for letting Delfino run the point. Whatever keeps him on the floor. I'd rather one of our bench players contribute in multiple areas rather than dispersing randomn minutes to a variety of players on this team. It would be good to get some strong young player development out of somebody!

I agree. His game seems better suited to distribution, drive and dish, etc. than standing in the corner waiting for a pass - one might make that argument about Prince too. (Though Delfino had a great catch and shoot three in the game before last - one continous sweet motion.) Maybe he isn't a nifty enough dribbler to bring the ball up against pressure, but I'd see that proved before not taking advantage of what seems like a nice fit between Delfino and the point spot.

The problem with Delfino running the point, or most other PGs for that matter, is that Flip's system needs someone who can run a disciplined attack, not a free style offense.

The proof is in Hunter's work on the floor. Not only is he not a very good PG, but he doesn't run Flip's offense well. Arroyo also suffered from the same issues when he was unable to create, he looked bad.

Delfino is a good ball handler and a ready passer, but how far along he is in the playbook will really determine his success.

I'd really start to see Blalock groomed in this system. Flip is going to be here a long time, and Willie B is his chance to develop a PG from scratch.

It burns me up that we let guys like Derek Anderson sign last season with the Heat, and this season with Charlotte. DA has a lot of game left. Certainly enough to come off our bench for 10 MPG as a combo guard.

I hear you bro, I just find it less likely. Blaylock won't be getting any burn this year.

We all know that Flip likes to stick with a core of players. I see Delfino being used similiar to how Marko Jaric is being used in Minnesota. This would do wonders for his confidence. Blaylock has time, Delfino's days are numbered here if he isn't given more time to shine.